Mission and Leadership

The mission of the Advocates is to provide strategies and resources to expand and replicate high-performing independent charter schools in Milwaukee, andto overcome or curtail the obstacles that inhibit their growth. The Advocates is led by a six-member board of directors, as follows:

Sean Roberts, Executive Director

Sean started at the Advocates in 2012 as Deputy Director and became Executive Director in March 2013. Before the Advocates, Sean managed The New Teacher Project, Milwaukee Teaching Fellows Program. Building strong partnerships is a hallmark of Sean's work, and he is also a Teach for America alum, once teaching special education in the Miami-Dade school system. Sean is the Advocates' leader and liaison to charter schools and other constituents.

Kim Stezala, Communications Director

Kim has been involved in the charter and choice movement since 1995, and is President of Stezala Consulting, LLC. She has been a charter school board member and founder of educational partnerships, and is a consultant to education-focused organizations, foundations, scholarship providers and schools. Kim serves as writer, editor and communicator between the Advocates and multiple stakeholders.

Linda Cizauskas, Office Manager

Linda started with the Advocates in 2012 and brings 25 years of customer service, book-keeping, administration, and event planning experience. She supports the board, team and membership with the operational aspects of the Advocates.